SMRID offers up $30K in scholarships to post-secondary ag students in southern Alberta

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on November 27, 2024.

asmith@medicinehatnews.com

St. Mary River Irrigation District is offering $30,000 in funding to this year’s recipients of the Peter Langemann, Keith Francis and Jonnie Popel Memorial Scholarships.

This is part of an ongoing scholarship offering, in which the district offers up to 15 scholarships, each valued at $2,000, to qualifying students.

“The SMRID board of directors is pleased to support 15 eligible students in their pursuits of a post-secondary education,” says vice chair Cory Nelson, who is also chair of the SMRID Scholarship Committee. “We believe in supporting sustainable communities, environment and agriculture with water and investing in the future of the agriculture industry.

This year’s recipients include students from Cypress County, Lethbridge County and the MD of Taber, after more applications than ever for the 2024 year.

Scholarships are given each year to students who are enrolled in an agricultural diploma, certificate or degree program, or to students previously employed with the SMRID. They are also available to the children and spouses of irrigators in the district.

“We are pleased to award $30,000 in funding in 2024,” says David Westwood, SMRID general manager. “This year saw a record number of applications submitted to the district. Irrigation is vitally important to the economic prosperity of the region, and these scholarships are an investment in southern Alberta and the future leaders in agriculture and irrigation in our district.”

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